Alpha Culinary Love - Chapter 25: No other plans. Just you.

In a bustling modern city where ancient secrets and mysterious powers collide with everyday life, 22-year-old Ethan Cross seems like your average college student. Behind his unassuming demeanor lies a man shrouded in secrets—a masked vigilante known only as “Virtuoso,” feared by criminals and sought after by powerful organizations.Ethan is overpowered, sarcastic, and ridiculously skilled at everything he does. But there's one thing he’s terrible at: romance. When the enigmatic and fiercely independent Mia Harper stumbles into his life, she unknowingly becomes the key to unraveling a conspiracy that ties Ethan's past to an ancient prophecy.Between laugh-out-loud moments, explosive action, and unexpected twists, Ethan navigates his double life while trying to protect Mia, keep his identity hidden, and maybe—just maybe—figure out how to confess his feelings without being a complete disaster.

Elia is a poor university student until the night she’s taken to the world of the Anima—ruled by humans whose ancient hearts pulse with the blood of animals. There she’s forced into a battle to the death. But when Elia survives, and refuses to kill her final opponent, the King must either kill Elia himself, or take her as his mate.

Reth, the brutal King of the Beasts with the blood of lions, shocks everyone when he chooses the weak, human Elia to become his Queen. He promises her every comfort of his wealth and position—but he is clear: She will not warm his bed. He chose her to defeat those that were trying to corner him into blending his Leonine line with the Wolves.

Elia needs the help of the Anima to become stronger and rule them well. But the vengeful Wolves see only a weak human that brought them shame. As Elia and Reth grow closer, the wolves are determined to destroy her. Will Reth and Elia admit their feelings for each in time to fight for the Kingdom—and their lives—against the villainous wolf-tribe? Or will the wolves kill Elia and steal the throne?

[Mature content - no sexual violence]

*****

He stalked towards her, chin low so the shadow cast by his hard jaw cut across the thick fur collar of his vest. His hair had fallen over his eyes in the scuffle, so he peered at her through it like a lion in the grass. With each step, his graceful, rolling gait reminded her of a predator stalking its prey. Despite the forest floor littered in twigs and leaves, he didn’t make a sound.

“Wh-who are you?” Elia stammered, backing away, her hands up. He met her step for step until she came up hard against the tree behind her—and didn’t stop until he loomed over her, so broad his shoulders and chest made a wall in front of her. She could feel the heat rising off his skin in the cool, night air.

“I am the Leonine King.” His voice was a dark, husky gravel. Behind him a chorus of wheezes, howls, and chirps of agreement rose from the people watching. “And you are?”

“Elia,” she breathed.

“Elia,” he growled, leaning in closer, bringing with him the scent of pine and rain and the musk of something distinctly male. “I am Reth.” He said the name with a strange, guttural roll in his throat. “I am King of Beasts. I am Clan Leader, and I am Alpha of WildWood.” Several snarls rose from the crowds behind him then, but he ignored them.

Elia swallowed as he leaned in until the scruff on his jaw rasped her cheek. “I am the King,” he said, “And you will be my mate.”

The forest behind him erupted.

After traveling to the Tivat continent, Lin Mo became a jar merchant, and since then he has embarked on a journey of selling jars.

Lin Mo: “Let’s open a jar. Whether it’s the Eye of God or the magic weapon, you can buy everything you need. You may earn blood, but I will never lose!”

Ningguang: “As long as you sell unlimited quantities, I am willing to give you all the money, and people can also give it to you!”

Hu Tao: “Golden Emperor Fen Tianyan? Or only ranked fourth on the Yihuo list? I can’t imagine the Yihuo in front of me.”

Ke Qing: “Sword Twenty-Three? Hey, what kind of terrifying swordsmanship is this!”

Yae Godko: “Touch your tail more, can you sell me an extra jar?”

Ayaka Kamari: “How can this Zanpakutō, Xiu Baixue, be so strong!”

…..

A few years later, everyone in the entire Tivat continent was looking for the jar left by Lin Mo.

- Description from novelbuddy

[Urban Bestselling Epic about the War God] “Sign it, today you must divorce that loser, Ling Fan—you’re not ashamed, but I can’t even lift my head when I go out,” my father-in-law emphatically tapped on the divorce agreement. Three days later, good son-in-law, you rise above the petty, I beg you, please don’t leave my daughter... Three years of tempering, a work of craftsmanship, the legendary War God’s ascension journey....